The long-time Berklee faculty member talks imagination, her opera 'Rumpelstiltskin,' composing without computers, and more. Note to listeners: this episode refers to a planned performance of 'Rumpelstiltskin' at the Kennedy Center that has now been canceled.

Sounds of Berklee

Composer Marti Epstein Makes 'Unimaginable' Music

The Berklee alumna discusses her shift from instrumentalist to singer/songwriter, her love of sad music, and how translating lyrics can be a metaphor for making music in general.

Recorder Player Tali Rubinstein on Translating Nostalgia

The Berklee student, already a successful jazz pianist and composer at 18, talks to the BIRN about exploring new musical territory.

Jazz Pianist Emily Bear Ventures into Pop

Amanda Addleman B.M. '09 always assumed she had stage fright, but after years of not being able to shake it she sought help and learned that she had something else: post-traumatic stress disorder. In this episode of Sounds of Berklee, she talks about how PTSD affected her career and how she used music, including writing a new album, to work through it.

How Amanda Addleman Used Music to Work Through PTSD

In this episode, Kris Davis breaks down her song, "Corn Crake," and how it brought together jazz improvisation, turntables, and the voice of Olivier Messiaen.

Kris Davis’s 'Corn Crake' Makes Difficult Music Easy to Like

The alumnus goes behind the scenes of some of 2019’s top releases, including Bon Iver's 'i, i' and Big Thief's 'U.F.O.F' and 'Two Hands.' We also asked Sarlo to curate a collection of some of the most memorable tracks he’s produced over the years. Listen and read see what Sarlo had to say about each track he selected on Berklee Now: https://www.berklee.edu/news/berklee-now/andrew-sarlos-big-year-producing-bon-iver-big-thief-and-more Theme music by Sleeping Lion.

Andrew Sarlo's Big Year: On Producing for Bon Iver, Big Thief, and More

Award-winning Chilean saxophonist Melissa Aldana B.M. '09 talks about the inspiration for her latest album, struggles she has faced in her artistic journey, and how she stays at the top of her game.

Melissa Aldana Explores Self-Identity on ‘Visions’

In this episode, Pedro Osuna talks about deadlines, working in L.A., and finding his compositional voice.

Film Composer Pedro Osuna Reinvents Himself with Each Score

Hawkins recruited a team of Berklee alumni, former students, and others to write and build the song "Champagne" using the online collaboration platform Splice. Here's how they put the song together.

Erik Hawkins and Team Build Dance Tune 'Champagne' on Splice

Take a moment to clear your mind with the alumna synth composer's organic, meditative music, featured on this episode of Sounds of Berklee. This episode features music from "Abstractions," “Tides VII,” and “Tides I” by Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith. For more information, visit touchtheplants.com.

Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith’s Orchestra of Electricity

Leah Driscoll B.M. '03, director of Student Wellness Promotion and Services, and student Lyzz Zinn discuss mental health tips and resources for musicians.

Mental Health for Musicians

Even if you've never heard of shoegaze, there's a good chance some of your favorite artists are fans. With a focus on heavily effected guitars and ethereal vocals, the underground rock genre came to prominence and was critically panned in the '90s. But the genre and its influence has made a comeback. In this episode, we look at the implications of that return and why the underground plays a vital role in music.

How Shoegaze Lived, Died, and Came Back to Influence a New Generation

The legendary 'In Utero' producer engineered the Cotones’ “The Final Cut” and dropped priceless studio wisdom in Berklee’s Studio 2. Listen to the track premiere on Sounds of Berklee.

Nirvana Producer Steve Albini Recorded this Cotones Track, 'The Final Cut'

Niu Raza, a Berklee alumna and Madagascar native, gets audiences to dance with her pop track "Moramora."

Niu Raza Issues a Dance Challenge with "Moramora"

“Great Escape,” the new single by Jackie Foster B.M. '18, has all the trademarks of a classic pop summer anthem: life-affirming lyrics, high sing-along factor, and a killer hook. It’s hard to believe a track that feels so destined to be heard blasting from rolled-down car windows was written during a low point in the singer’s career. Recorded by Tony Brown Engineered by Darcy Davis Theme music by Sleeping Lion

Jackie Foster’s ‘Great Escape’ Embraces Life after The Voice

Listen to the stars of tomorrow…today, as well as Berklee faculty members, alumni, and a few legendary artists, coming to the college as visiting artists.

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Sounds of Berklee

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